Lirac

France · AOC · Rhône Valley

Styles

Natural factors

Vineyard across 4 communes in the Gard, between 50 and 200 m elevation, on terraces and hillsides oriented NE–SW along the Rhône.
The Mistral, a cold, dry northerly wind, blows approximately 180 days per year, keeping the vineyard healthy and free of disease pressure.
Upper terraces: red clay soils with large rounded stones known as "terrasse villafranchienne".
Hillsides and lower slopes: skeletal loessic or argilo-calcareous soils (rendzina-like), all susceptible to summer drought.

Human factors

In 1737, the communes of Roquemaure, Lirac, and St-Laurent began branding their casks with a hot iron before the wines were loaded onto boats at the port of Roquemaure.
AOC Lirac recognised by decree on 14 October 1947: the first Côtes du Rhône cru authorised in all three colours (red, rosé, and white).

Product characteristics

Reds: deep colour, aromas of ripe fruit, spice, and leather; a full palate with powerful yet rounded tannins, well suited to ageing. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
Whites are floral and fruity (white fruits) with garrigue notes and a long aromatic finish; saignée rosés are fresh and round, with ripe red fruit.

Terroir / wine link

White varieties are planted on limestone soils and black varieties on well-drained clay soils: the growers' expertise in matching variety to soil type is what delivers power and structure.

Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.